The sprint for delegates

Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln
Jul 23, 2024 View in browser
 
Illinois Playbook

By Shia Kapos

Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Election day is 105 days away.

TOP TALKER

DELEGATE DASH: Kamala Harris’ campaign has secured enough verbal commitments to clinch the nomination, allies say.

That came after Democrats worked the phones Monday to nail down a simple majority of the nearly 4,000 convention delegates needed the nomination.

The commitments in Illinois came about once Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday morning that he’s endorsing Harris for president. His backing helped clear the path for Harris.

Now on board with Harris: Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Former Gov. Pat Quinn and Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) are with Harris, too.

Illinois delegate count: Illinois has 178 delegates headed to the Democratic National Convention, and so far 64 have committed to Harris, said Christopher Dunn, the campaign’s Illinois state coordinator for delegate operations.

The Illinois Democratic Party, which had asked members to hold their powder before endorsing, also started encouraging delegates to back Harris.

Bringing back the band: Harris’s 2020 campaign team kicked into hear to help make the hundreds of calls needed to lock in support of delegates ahead of next month’s Democratic National Convention.

“Every single conversation has ended with a commitment or has leaned that way,” said Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, who was on Harris’ 2020 Leadership Committee and was called on to help support her new campaign. Buckner was contacting delegates and elected officials in Illinois and other states “about the importance of a united front” behind Harris.

Also on the team, Chicago Clerk Anna Valencia, state Rep. Bob Morgan, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and former adviser to President Bill Clinton Valerie Alexander.

RELATED

Interesting side note: Sheila Nix, the Chicago native who has served as Harris’ chief of staff, will play an outsized role now that the veep is running for president.

Eric Holder is running Harris' veep vetting process, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago

NEW THIS MORNING: Gov. JB Pritzker said he hasn’t received any vetting materials to be considered for vice president — and pivoted from answering whether he would accept the call, saying on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," “I love being governor of the state of Illinois. And I’ve been out on the campaign trail fighting for Democrats.” adding he’ll soon be in Arizona and Tennessee.

Inside the organizing call for Harris: “Tens of thousands of supporters gathered on Sunday to support Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. They raised over $1 million in the process,” by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Jason Beeferman.

SPOTTED: After endorsing Kamala Harris for president this morning, Gov. JB Pritzker visited the Democratic Convention headquarters in the West Loop to rally convention and host committee staffers — and bring them lunch from Manny's Deli. Also in attendance: convention fundraiser Michael Sacks.

BLAGO OP-ED | Biden gets the Chicago treatment, writes former Gov. Rod Blagojevich: “In the old-school way of Chicago backroom politics, Barack Obama was the conductor of the band that successfully orchestrated the removal of the presidential candidate chosen by more than 14 million Democratic primary voters — to be replaced by someone he and the party bosses choose instead. It’s classic ward-boss tactics,” the Democrat turned “Trumpocrat” writes in The Wall Street Journal.

Oops. Mayor Brandon Johnson wasn’t among those calling for the president to step down, as we indicated Monday.

THE BUZZ

SAD SPOTLIGHT: The fatal shooting earlier this month of a Springfield woman by law enforcement drew the attention of President Joe Biden on Monday, the same day video footage was released showing the shocking last moments of Sonya Massey’s life.

The president’s statement: “Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential intruder. When we call for help, all of us as Americans — regardless of who we are or where we live — should be able to do so without fearing for our lives. Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth described the case as “painful and horrifying.” And Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski spoke on the House floor about the case, calling it “an appalling act of senseless violence.” Watch it here.

Body camera footage showed a sheriff’s deputy shooting a woman in the head as she stood over a pot of water. NBC has more, including the body camera video.

Racially charged: Sean Grayson, a white Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy, was charged with murder. Massey was Black.

Her death is the latest example of Black people killed in recent years by police in their homes, reports the Associated Press’ John O’Connor

At Massey's funeral on Friday, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said the video would "shock the conscience of America like the pictures of Emmett Till after he was lynched,” by the State Journal-Register Steven Spearie.

If you are Sheila Nix, Playbook would like to hear from you. Email: skapos@politico.com

WHERE'S JB

No official public events.

WHERE's BRANDON

No official public events.

Where's Toni

At the Thatcher Woods Pavilion at 10 a.m. to preside over a meeting of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or (heaven forbid) a complaint? Email: skapos@politico.com

 

Breaking News Briefing: How Kamala Harris’ Policies Could Differ from Joe Biden’s — Where does Vice President Kamala Harris stand on key policy issues? Where does she differ from President Biden? Join POLITICO Pro’s specialist reporters for a detailed discussion of what her track record as vice president, U.S. senator and attorney general of California tells us about her policy instincts and allies. REGISTER HERE.

 
 
CONVENTION ZONE

With Biden stepping aside and Harris in, gloom over Chicago convention lifts: “Some major donors signaled their distress about Biden staying in the race by declining to write more checks or host events. That concern dissolved within hours of Harris becoming the presumptive Democratic 2024 nominee, with no rival coming forward,” by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet and Tina Sfondeles.

DNC poised to move forward with virtual roll call after Biden dropout, by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider

Artist Jake Troyli is putting a big stamp on Chicago ahead of the Democratic National Convention:The up-and-coming Chicago artist has landed a major commission on the West Side, one of six projects tied to the city’s moment in the national political spotlight,” by Elly Fishman on WBEZ.

On the eve of the Democratic National Convention, Grant Park’s past provides ominous echoes, by Douglas Brinkley in Vanity Fair

— Convention fun: Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Chicago Clerk Anna Valencia are headlining a networking event on Day One of the Democratic National Convention that highlights civic involvement. Also on the host committee for the Up-Next Chicago event are Latino Policy Forum President and CEO Sylvia Puente, Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement CEO Patricia Mota, Business Leadership Council CEO Arielle Johnson, Managing Director and Head of ESG and Social Impact at Ariel Alternatives Aarti Kotak and Brave Space Alliance CEO Channyn Lynne Parker. Details here

THE STATEWIDES

Madigan confidant asks for severance from upcoming corruption trial, claiming ex-speaker’s legal team could ‘ambush’ him, by the Tribune’s Jason Meisner, Ray Long and Megan Crepeau

CHICAGO

Reinsdorf and Wirtz families unveil $7B proposal to remake Near West Side around United Center: “It’s going to be a new neighborhood with the United Center as its anchor,” said United Center CEO Terry Savarise, by the Tribune’s Brian J. Rogal.

From the Sun-Times: “The estimated 10-year development would transform the West Side with green space, mixed-income housing, a music hall and more. Construction will take place in seven phases with the first phase estimated to start as early as next year,” by Abby Miller.

McCormick Place installs bird-safe film to deter migrating birds from hitting its windows, by the Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn

Chicago area broke a record with 27 tornadoes in one day, by Block Club’s Mack Liederman

2024 WATCH

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Kelli Wegener, a McHenry County Board member running for board chair, is out with news about union endorsements, including Teamsters Joint Council 25, LiUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council and Iron Workers District Council. Wegener, a Democrat, hopes to unseat incumbent Board Chair Mike Buehler, a Republican. Here’s the full list of Wegener's labor endorsements.

TAKING NAMES

Ariel's John Rogers tapped for top post at Economic Opportunity Coalition, by Crain’s Mark Weinraub

— The Edgar Fellows Program has announced its latest participants. The full list is here.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

 
 
Reader Digest

We asked who you go to for career advice.

Vince Brandys: “My son Matt who, although being just 30 years old, has intellect and common sense that I have relied on several times in the past four years as I changed my career focus.”

Robert Christie: “I usually go to my wife first. Her instincts are spot on. She helps keep me focused on the right set of goals.”

Dave Dahl: “My dad.”

Marilynn Miller: “In the past (I'm retired now.), an IBM systems engineer, Bud Schmidt, became my mentor in my early days as a computer programmer. His advice when I was kind of lost, made a great career in IT possible.”

NEXT QUESTION: When did you hesitate to join the bandwagon? Email skapos@politico.com

DELEGATION

— Congressman Darin LaHood, Republican chair of the House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee, and Congressman Danny K. Davis, the Democratic ranking member, introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and reform child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. “The bipartisan Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 9076) reauthorizes Title IV-B for the first time since 2021 and delivers the first significant reforms since 2008,” according to their statement.

THE NATIONAL TAKE

Secret Service director infuriates lawmakers with vague answers on Trump shooting, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney, Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein

Sen. Dick Durbin calls for Secret Service director to resign, by the Tribune’s Olivia Olander

Congressional Dems go from panic to wary relief: Is the chaos over?, by POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick and Sarah Ferris

TRANSITIONS

— James Hartmann is now a managing director at Mercury Public Affairs. He's a Chicago-based attorney who has served as chief counsel to the Illinois House speaker, as well as House parliamentarian and House Democratic ethics officer.

— Ashvin Lad is now director of health systems and group partnerships at the American Medical Association. He was director of strategic initiatives at PSG Energy Group.

EVENTS

— Thursday: The Joyce Foundation kicks off the first of three discussions on gun violence in Chicago starting with "Reducing Gun Violence: The Ecosystem of Public Safety." The program is in partnership with the BlackRoots Alliance, the City Club of Chicago and WTTW. Details here

— Monday: A Springfield town hall will be headlined by State Reps. Anna Moeller and Suzanne Ness. Details here

TRIVIA

MONDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Leo Driscoll for correctly answering that the Illinois and Michigan Canal was the public works project that was started in Chicago in 1836.

TODAY’s QUESTION: Who’s the Chicago opera star who also appeared in two silent films made by Samuel Goldwyn?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Former state Sen. Miguel del Valle, Orrick law firm’s Adam Braun, ABC 7 political reporter Craig Wall, attorney Sam Royko, PwC tax partner Jennifer Darling, Burson Corporate Affairs VP Stephani Englund and former state Rep. Edward “Eddie” Acevedo.

-30-

Correction: Monday’s Illinois Playbook misspelled public relations pro Dan Shomon’s last name.

 

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